Child 44

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2:17

Child 44

R

Released Apr 17, 2015

2h 17m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

30%

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84 Reviews

42%

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10,000+ Ratings

In 1950s Soviet Russia, secret police agent Leo Demidov (Tom Hardy) loses everything when he refuses to denounce his wife, Raisa (Noomi Rapace) as a traitor. Finding themselves exiled to a grim provincial outpost, Leo and Raisa join forces with Gen. Mikhail Nesterov (Gary Oldman) to capture a serial killer who preys on young boys. They soon find that their investigation threatens a system-wide cover-up enforced by Vasili (Joel Kinnaman), Leo's psychopathic rival.

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Critics Consensus

There's a gripping story at the heart of Child 44 and a solid performance from Tom Hardy in the lead, but it all still adds up to a would-be thriller that lacks sufficient thrills.

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Alissa Wilkinson

Christianity Today

In the end, the film lacks an imagination, and that unfortunately winds up dragging it through the mud.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 23, 2015

Full Review

Jonathan Romney

Observer (UK)

Hardy is very odd, as usual.

Rated: 1/5

Apr 19, 2015

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

The story is a confusing bore that leads achingly slowly to a solution as perfunctory as it is implausible.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 18, 2015

Full Review

Brigit Grant

Daily Express (UK)

Demidov knows better. His transformation from committed Communist to compassionate citizen is Hardy’s gift to a film that rambles on but works well as a thriller while conveying the bleakness of life behind the Iron Curtain.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 21, 2024

Full Review

Jordan Brooks

Vague Visages

A Kafka-esque condemnation of Stalin’s government ham-handedly plopped into a John le Carré spy thriller, Child 44 is ambiguous cinematic fluff.

Aug 3, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

A unique and compelling procedural that I found satisfying even in its messiness.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 19, 2022

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Karen T

I do not understand why the majority of critics did not endorse Child 44. A harsh time in Russian/Ukrainian history. A bleak and at times brutal film that you have to really watch to understand. You have to concentrate so if you want thrills and scrolling on your phone .... It's not for you

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

Full Review

Vicky S

Originally wanted to watch just for Tom Hardy...but was so "into" this movie I wasn't even aware of what was going on around me...this is NOT one of those "thrillers" where you are screaming at the screen bkz the actors are so dumb & just don't get it...NOPE...this was a fast paced great movie that moves FAST and the main characters get what is going on at the same time you do !

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

Full Review

Aaron C

Not a patch on the book, totally ignores the great ending of a great book

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/26/24

Full Review

Sams K

Interesting story, but there are some holes in the screenplay. Not bad.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

Full Review

Blu B

It was so boring and not entirely hard to follow but half the time I didn't know what was going on and most of the time I just didn't care. It's got solid production value and the acting on it's own is good as everyone is giving it a good go. But the acting is just ok mainly because of the asetics and editing and pacing just wear it down. The cinematography, editing and pacing are all subpar. I swear the first 40 minutes probably could've been cut and just have them arrive at the work camp. It feels like the romance drama and the child killer mystery not only never really work together but worse neither is that interesting. This is so lifeless and dull to look at. It can't be stated enough it feels like I can follow some of it but just don't care enough to be invested. It's such a weird and boring feeling. I can't recommend this to anyone. It's just a whole lot of nothing. I already feel like I've forgotten over half of it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/28/24

Full Review

Matthew P

Anyone that thinks this is a bad movie is dumb. I really enjoyed this film

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/26/24

Full Review

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Daniel Espinosa

Director

Tom Hardy

Leo Demidov

Gary Oldman

Gen. Mikhail Nesterov

Noomi Rapace

Raisa

Joel Kinnaman

Vasili

Paddy Considine

Vladimir Malevich

Child 44: A Fight for Survival

2:39

Child 44: Making An Example

2:40

Child 44: No Murder in Paradise

2:54

Child 44: Are You A Spy?

2:26

Child 44: Where Are They Taking Us?

2:40

Child 44: Another Victim is Found

2:43

Child 44: Blood On Our Hands

2:30

Child 44: Train Car Attack

2:01

Child 44: We're Both Killers

1:57

Child 44: The Battle of Berlin

2:43

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Child 44: Trailer 1

2:17

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Synopsis

In 1950s Soviet Russia, secret police agent Leo Demidov (Tom Hardy) loses everything when he refuses to denounce his wife, Raisa (Noomi Rapace) as a traitor. Finding themselves exiled to a grim provincial outpost, Leo and Raisa join forces with Gen. Mikhail Nesterov (Gary Oldman) to capture a serial killer who preys on young boys. They soon find that their investigation threatens a system-wide cover-up enforced by Vasili (Joel Kinnaman), Leo's psychopathic rival.

Director: Daniel Espinosa
Producer: Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Greg Shapiro
Screenwriter: Richard Price
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Scott Free Productions
Rating: R (Language|A Scene of Sexuality|Some Disturbing Images|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Runtime: 2h 17m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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